American actor James Earl Jones, best known for voicing the Star Wars villain Darth Vader, has passed away at the age of 93. He was best known for his distinctive, gravelly voice, which was used in films such as Field of Dreams, Coming To America, Conan the Barbarian, and The Lion King. Jones won three Tony awards, two Emmys, a Grammy, and an honorary Oscar in 2011 for lifetime achievement. In 1971, he became only the second Black man nominated for an Academy Award for best actor, after Sidney Poitier.
Star Trek actor LeVar Burton was among the first to pay tribute to Jones, saying "there will never be another of his particular combinations of graces." US actor Colman Domingo also paid tribute, while Kevin Costner, who co-starred with Jones in Field of Dreams, said: "That booming voice, that quiet strength, the kindness that he radiated. So much can be said about his legacy, so I'll just say how thankful I am that part of it includes Field of Dreams."
Oscar-winning actress Octavia Spencer wrote that Jones' "voice and talent will be remembered always" and that "legendary doesn't even begin to describe his iconic roles and impact on cinema forever." Crystal Minkoff, wife of The Lion King co-director Rob Minkoff, posted a photo of Jones holding a statue of Mufasa alongside the words: "Rest in Power, Mr. Jones. You made a young animator’s dream come true when you accepted the role of Mufasa. Thank you for all you have done for Rob. Your memory will live on."
Jones was also the voice of US broadcaster CNN's "This is CNN" tagline. He was the voice of CNN and their brand for many decades, uniquely conveying instant authority, grace, and decorum through speech. Born in Mississippi in January 1931, Jones had a stammer that limited his speaking abilities for most of his childhood.
